Western Hat Materials: Not All Are Created Equal

In the market for a new cowboy hat? Keep in mind that not all cowboy hats are created equal.

They are all made from different materials, and some of these are more highly regarded than others.

Here’s what you need to know - take it from the experts at our western store near Grand Rapids - as well as a comment on “X” denotation.

Straw

Some of the most affordable cowboy hats are made of straw, so if you’re looking for a western hat and don’t want to break the bank, straw may be the way to go.

Aside from cost, straw cowboy hats can be woven using attractive patterns and techniques that appeal to some buyers.

Moreover, straw hats actually have an advantage in extreme heat, as they are exceptionally lightweight, durable, and breathable. They allow moisture to easily pass through and they can cool your head and shade your neck and shoulders without trapping heat.

However, keep in mind that straw hats are the least durable type of cowboy hat and are extremely susceptible to both water and, over time, to sunlight damage. They must be kept dry.

Also, straw cowboy hats can also crack or tear if crushed, folded, or handled roughly.

Look for the “X” rating in straw cowboy hats. As with other types of western hats, a higher “X” rating indicates a higher grade of quality.

The more “X’s” a straw hat has, the higher quality the hat will be; for instance, straw hats with higher “X” ratings typically use more material, heavier straw, or a tighter weave.

Leather

Leather is actually a fairly uncommon material used in the construction of western hats, but some still are made from leather or suede. Some Bullhide western hats are made with leather.

Leather has a quite a few good things going for it. It is exceptionally tough and durable, and can be treated to make it water-repellent, nearly waterproof.

Leather is also tough enough to put up with a lot of abuse. You can step on or crush a leather hat - not that you’d want to - and it’ll hold up better than any other material.

However, with leather cowboy hats, it’s not all positive news. There are some substantial drawbacks in the use of leather to make cowboy hats.

One is that leather needs a lot of TLC. Just like leather boots, leather cowboy hats should be conditioned periodically to keep them supple.

Another thing about leather is that it is very hot in the summer, and far less breathable than other materials, like straw or fur.

Leather also is not particularly warm in the cold, making wool and fur hats superior. Also, leather can be damaged by excessive exposure to moisture.

Wool

Some of the better - but not the best - cowboy hats are made from felted wool. Like other materials, there are some drawbacks and advantages to the use of wool hats.

Among the advantages of wool are its thermal characteristics. It is not overly hot in the summer, and by shielding the wearer’s neck and shoulders can keep him or her cool.

Wool is also excellent in the cold. It’s warm enough when dry, but even in the cold rain and snow, when wool gets wet it retains as much as 70% of its thermal insulative properties.

In addition to this, high-quality felted wool is highly water-repellent. In fact, some grades of felted fur are entirely waterproof. This is evident in classic cowboy hats like the original Stetson “Boss of the Plains” which was said to be so waterproof it could be used as a vessel for watering a horse.

Wool is also a fairly durable material. With that said, wool hats cannot be steam formed as easily as other grades of felted fur. However, many are packable or crushable for travel, which for some is more convenient.

Wool can also be fairly temperamental. Wool, like leather, can be damaged by repeated or excessive exposure to moisture if a wool hat gets wet too many times it can lose its form.

Fur (Beaver, Rabbit, Etc)

Having covered the other three common materials that are often used in the construction of western hats, we have saved the best for last. The highest-quality premium cowboy hats are made of felted wool.

Most commonly, felted fur western hats are made with either rabbit or (the best ones) felted beaver fur.

Beaver fur is a highly desirable material to use in the construction of western hats because it is very durable and warm, and it can be felted into a tight mesh that, like wool, is water-repellent or even waterproof.

Fur is better in cold weather than wool and is more resilient, while still remaining lightweight enough to be worn in the summer.

Fur hats also have the advantage that they can be steam-shaped, which enables easy shaping, restoration, and maintenance.

Be cognizant of the “X” rating of fur hats when you’re looking for a fur hat. The more “X’s” the better. Higher “X” ratings indicate that the hat has a greater fur content or a greater portion of the hat is made of fur.

Generally, if you’re looking for a soft, warm, durable western hat that will repel water and which will have a beautiful sheen, look for a felted fur hat made with a higher concentration of beaver fur.

Visit Our Western Store Near Grand Rapids

Whether you’re on the hunt for your first western hat or your 20th, visiting a western store near you is a good bet. There, you can get a better feel for the construction of the hat in question, as well as how comfortably it will fit you.

Our western wear store in Grand Rapids, in Wayland, Michigan, has the area’s largest selection of cowboy hats and other western clothing, with western shirts, jeans, boots, tack and more. We carry western hats from Stetson, Bullhide, Resistol, Bailey, Charlie One Horse, and many other brands.

Plus, we also offer hat shaping and stretching in our Wayland store, so if you’re looking for a new cowboy hat, come visit us today.